Dublin City manager Roddy Collins has swung the axe at the Premier Division basement club by placing 14 first team squad players on the transfer list.
Collins made the announcement at a meeting at the club's training headquarters at ALSAA on Saturday where he met each player individually to inform him of his decision that they no longer had a role to play at the club. Collins' decision now leaves the Vikings paired down to the bone, although new signings are imminent.
City, who have fourteen matches to retain their Premier Division status, gave debuts to four players against Derry on Thursday last - Danny Boxall, Scott Friel, Ronnie Henry and Marc Kenny.
All except Boxall are included in the City squad for the midweek trip Cork City. Boxall picked up a knee injury against the Candystripes and is out injured for the foreseeable future.
Collins said: "I met with all the players and had a good chat with them and I explained where we're at and where we wanted to take the club. They're a smashing bunch and I thanked them for their efforts. I've told each and every one of them that I'll do whatever I can to help fix them up with clubs or whatever I can assist in helping them with their careers. "I'd identified the areas I needed players and I was very frank with them and told them that I had to make decisions in the best interests of Dublin City."
"I told those who weren't going to figure in my future plans that the decisions were not to be taken personally. Overall they were very manful about it and I'd like to wish them the best of luck in their future careers and for their efforts on behalf of the club until now."
Transfer listed players: Alan Keely; Wes Byrne, Ben Whelehan, Keith Foy, Killian Brennan, Pierre Ennis, Jason Colwell, Ray Scully, Robbie Collins, Robbie Farrell, Dave McGill, Barry Burke, Philip Hughes, Chris Deans.
Goalkeeper Brendan Kennedy has joined Kildare County and Keith Maher has signed for Kilkenny City.
The players retained are: Robbie Horgan, Barry Ryan, Tony O'Connor, Thomas McGauley, Derek Griffin, Paul Crowley, Don Tierney, Cathal O'Connor, Gary O'Neill, Peter Hynes, Scott Friel, Ronnie Henry, Marc Kenny.
Filed by Mark O'Neill-Cummins
